Finite-infinite element for dynamic analysis of axisymmetrically saturated composite foundations

The formulations of axisymmetrically infinite elements for dynamic analysis of vertical vibration problems in unbounded saturated composite foundations are presented. The theoretical basis as well as the implementation of the elements is discussed, and the element decay functions are derived using the analytical solutions of axially symmetric configurations. Using the proposed finite–infinite element method, the surface vertical displacements of air‐saturated soil (‘dry’ soil) and of water‐saturated soil with extremely low permeability subjected to a surface point excitation (called as the Lamb's problem) are calculated and the results agree very well with the existing theoretical solutions of single‐phase elastic media. As an application, the velocity admittances of a concrete block resting on cement mixing‐pile or gravel‐pile saturated composite foundations are calculated. The influence of soil permeability and pile rigidity on the dynamic response of the composite foundations is investigated. The method proposed by this paper is a simple and reliable numerical one that could be used to study axisymmetrically dynamic problems of layered saturated media and to get the mechanism of dynamic testing on single‐pile saturated composite foundations. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.